Archive | July, 2011

The short-lived 1980s Marvel Comics series Strikeforce: Morituri will reportedly be turned into a feature film.

The short-lived 1980s Marvel Comics series Strikeforce: Morituri will reportedly be turned into a feature film. I’ll admit, I’m unfamiliar with this comic series, but the premise sound’s really interesting.

Strikeforce: Morituri, which ran from 1986 to 1989, was set on an Earth nearly conquered by resource-stealing alien invaders [The Horde]. A scientific process is designed to give a squadron of humans super-powers to fight the aliens, but it also dooms them to die within a year. The series followed the heroic exploits of the strike force who knew they’re doomed regardless of how they fare against the aliens.

According to Variety, the screen rights to the title were snagged by Waterman Entertainment who have tapped the series’ creator-writer, Peter B. Gillis, to script the movie along with Connor Cochran. Jeff Beard will produce. The trade says Waterman Entertainment aims to start production this December.

Note:While the setting of Strikeforce: Morituri resembles no future seen in any other Marvel title, the Horde appear to have gathered trophies from residents of the Marvel Universe, including Captain America’s Shield, the Silver Surfer’s board and Galactus’s helmet, as well as shelves of what appear to be power batteries used by DC’s Green Lantern Corps. At the time, that appeared to be an in-joke rather than a serious plot point. But it is now considered serious since Marvel has designated the Strikeforce Morituri universe as Earth-1287 of its shared multiverse, as seen in Marvel Alternate Universes 2005.

Strikeforce: Morituri is a comic book series published by Marvel Comics from 1986 to 1989. The series was created by writer Peter B. Gillis and artist Brent Anderson.

The premise is that aliens have invaded Earth and nearly succeeded in conquering it and stripping it of its resources. A scientist discovers a process which can provide humans with superhuman powers, effectively creating a group of defending superheroes. However, the process would also ensure that the empowered humans would die within a year of being empowered. The series thus focused on the heroism of the main characters in fighting the invaders, while living with the knowledge that their fates were sealed regardless of whether or not they prevailed.

The title comes from the Latin phrase: “Morituri te salutamus” (We who are about to die salute you!), a salute that according to popular legend (not academically agreed) was uttered by Roman gladiators before battle in the arena. The subtitle of the comic was “We who are about to die”.

Gillis and Anderson left the series within two years. The series was eventually ended after 31 issues, under the tenure of writer James Hudnall and artist Mark Bagley.

It’s Spidey’s time to shine; evidently not in the greatest quality, make the jump and check out the teaser trailer for Sony’s Marc Webb-directed reboot The Amazing Spider-Man!

Receiving confirmation last week that it was attached to this Friday’s release of Captain America: The First Avenger, it’s no surprise eager Spidey fans have captured and posted the first teaser trailer for Marc Webb’s The Amazing Spider-Man reboot. While it’s expected to be officially released this week, watch a shaky-cam version below!

Here’s two very cool Captain America posters from a very talented artist from Mondo Tees named Eric Tan. If you dig these I definitely suggest checking out their site and following their work. Very cool stuff.

Inspired by personal experiences, 50/50 is an original story about friendship, love, survival and finding humor in unlikely places. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen star as best friends whose lives are changed by a cancer diagnosis. Rogen also serves as producer, along with Evan Goldberg and Ben Karlin. Jonathan Levine directs from a script by Will Reiser.

“We worked with Will on Da Ali G show, and it was shortly after that we learned he was sick.” Rogen recalls. “As shocking, sad, confusing and generally screwed up as it was; we couldn’t ignore that because we were so ill-equipped to deal with the situation, funny things kept happening. Will got better, and when he did, we thought the best way to pull something good out of the situation was to get him to write a screenplay. Ideally we wanted to make a film that would be as funny, sad, and hopefully as honest as the experience we went through. As soon as the script was completed, it quickly became a passion project for all of us. It helped us come to terms with Will’s struggle as well as our own experiences.”

50/50 is the story of a guy’s trans formative and, yes, sometimes funny journey to health. 50/50 draws its emotional core from Will Reiser’s own experience with cancer and reminds us that friendship and love, no matter what bizarre turns they take, are the greatest healers.

In one of the dumber moves in recent memory, Deadline reports that Universal has shut down all production regarding Stephen King’s Dark Tower series. The film series had already attached Ron Howard to direct and had Javier Bardem set to star in the arc that would not only include multiple movies but a television series as well.

Universal was unwilling to move forward with the large production so they will now begin shopping it to other interested who are prepared to commit to such a large undertaking.

This is a huge dissapointment as The Dark Tower series is one of King’s more beloved book series and fans of his have been waiting many years to see this on the big screen. Guess we’ll have to wait a little longer…

A source has contacted showbizspy with some interesting information. It appears that Depp is quite fond of Russell Brand, and would like to work with him in the next Pirates Of The Caribbean movie. Click the jump to weigh in on this rumor.

Movie insiders say the Brit comic is wanted to add a new element to the blockbuster franchise which looks set to run for another two movies at least.

An extra that has been on set of The Dark Knight Rises gives some information about the final battle between Bane and Batman. Read article at your own risk.

A recent interview with a extra from TDKR might possibly reveal how similar the movie is to the comic storyline “Knightfall”.

Know Your Marvel News: So you are an extra in The Dark Knight Rises?

“TheDredog21″: I’m a Extra in the movie when we start shooting in Pittsburgh next month.

KYMN: You say next month, is there anything you have already filmed, anything new that we saw in the teaser?

“TheDredog21″: [in the trailer] The Epic Conclusion is referring to the fight scene between Bane and Batman. Batman does get bloodied and beating to a pulp finally bane has Batman over his head in the air …..well you just have to find out what happens but the first offical trailer you will see has young Ra’s al ghul and Catwoman. But it is Bane and batman at the end of the trailer Batman is limping and Bane is limping as well, Batman walks up to Bane before they fight and Bane says I’ve been waiting for you pumps his Venom up then turns his head then Batman backs up.

KYMN: Some very interesting details, so what else will you be shooting?

“TheDredog21″: I’m Just a Extra During Banes Prison Break but I hope to do more films since im talented in doing voices and i would play a real dark bad guy or any voice of a villian if i had a chance to.

So it sounds as though that Bane will figure out Batman’s identity and break his back like in the original comics, but there is no confirmation that this is true.

We won’t know the truth for almost a year when The Dark Knight Rises releases on July 20, 2012. Starring Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Michael Caine as Alfred Pennyworth, Gary Oldman as James Gordon, Tom Hardy as Bane,Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle

Another day, another picture from Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Stop salivating and click the jump.

TIME is the lucky beneficiary of exclusive photos today, as it seems Warner Brothers is slowly distributing exclusive photos to all the major news sources one day at a time. I believe that is a very shrewd approach to drumming up interest in the project.

Description of the two characters:

“Dwarf Lords in their own right, Balin and Dwalin are close relatives of Thorin. Beyond this, these brothers are two of his most loyal and trusted friends. An old warrior, Balin has lived through hard times and fought many battles, yet he harbors doubts about the wisdom of the Quest to retake the Lonely Mountain. Dwalin has no such forebodings

The Thundercats are being reimagined July 29th on Cartoon Network in a 1hr television movie.

The original ThunderCats is an American animated television series that was produced by Rankin/Bass Productions (the same that created the SilverHawks, TigerSharks and The Comic Strip) debuting in 1985, based on the characters created by Tobin “Ted” Wolf. The series follows the adventures of a group of cat-like humanoid aliens. The animation was provided by Pacific Animation Corporation. Season 1 of the show aired in 1985 (65 episodes), followed by a TV movie entitled ThunderCats – HO! in 1986. Seasons 2, 3 and 4 followed a new format of twenty episodes each, starting with a five-part story; these aired from 1987 to 1988, 1988 to 1989, and 1989 to 1990, respectively.

Lately I have been perusing the Entertainment section of the app store. It is filled with wonder and yet asinine concepts. There are some true time killers among the selection, and some true wastes of time. After finding the highly stimulating Songify earlier this week, I went back looking to find some more entertainment gold. And then, eureka!

Video Time Machine. (Is there a more intriguing title?) Literally travel through time with this awesome video app that has been

It’s a shame, and many fans will be disappointed but Raimi will only be producing the new addition to the Evil Dead series. The director will be..

Brett Ratner! Only kidding. Bloody Disgusting have unearthed who will step into Sam Rami’s shoes for the new installment in the Evil Dead franchise..

In an exclusive scoop, we’re told that Fede Alvarez (Federico Alvarez) is directing for Raimi’s Ghost House Pictures and Madnate. The remake was announced way back in 2004. No word on casting or if Bruce Campbell will return.

The site also reveal that Raimi will be on board as producer, and the movie will be a “quasi-remake”. I assume that means it will tell roughly the same story but not EXACTLY the same, and hope beyond hoe that Bruce Campbell will be involved. Alvarez has only previously directed the very impressive short film Panic Attack! back in 2009. Check it out below.

Bruce Campbell confirms a new Evil Dead movie is in the works. Looks like this one is a remake and not a continuation in the series.

Seems this one is no longer a rumor. Confirming via Twitter, Campbell has put all the gossip and hearsay to rest.

You can see the actual Tweet on your left. Speaking back in April when this was still in the very earliest of stages, Campbell had the following to say regarding the script:

We are remaking Evil Dead. The script is awesome. I will be one of the producers and possibly play the milk man.In all honesty, we would all love to make another Evil Dead movie. When that will happen? Who can say

The cast and crew of the upcoming sci-fi western discuss the “genre mash-up” phenomenon unfolding in the film. Hear exerts from Olivia Wilde, Jon Favreau, Daniel Craig, Ron Howard,Harrison Ford, and many others.

In this exclusive featurette from IGN you can listen to the cast and crew discuss what it means to mix the genres of an alien sci-fi flick and an old school western. Jon Favreau is the highlight here as he eloquently captures the essence of the movie.

Cowboys & Aliens is an upcoming 2011 American science fiction Western film starring Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, and Olivia Wilde. The film, directed by Jon Favreau, is based on the 2006 graphic novel of the same name created by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg. Cowboys & Aliens is scheduled to be released in the United States and Canada on July 29, 2011..

The first trailer featuring The Riddler from Batman: Arkham City has been released, giving us more ideas on how the villain will appear in the upcoming video game. Hit the jump to check it out!

The story for Arkham City takes place one year after the events of Arkham Asylum. Quincy Sharp, former warden of Arkham Asylum, has taken credit for stopping the Joker, and used that notoriety to become mayor of Gotham City. As neither Arkham nor Blackgate Prison are in any condition to hold inmates, Sharp buys out a large section of Gotham’s slums and arms the perimeter with private military contractors from a group called Tyger in order to create “Arkham City”. The prisoners are brought into Arkham City and are given free rein, as long as they do not attempt escape. To oversee the city, Sharp uses psychiatrist Hugo Strange who appears to have his own secret agenda for the city. Batman maintains a vigil over the city, worried that the situation may get out of hand. Part of the setup for “Arkham City” was contained in plans in a hidden room in Sharp’s office in Arkham Asylum.

What do you think of this? Sound off your opinions on the usual spot below!

Still featuring the voice of Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Tasia Valenza,Wally Wingert, as well as new additions of Tara Strong, Maurice LaMarche, and Stana Katic, Batman: Arkham City is set to be released on October 18, later this year!

We already knew that Marvel Studios and Warner Bros. were scaling back on the big movie presentations, but I’m pretty sure that the majority of us were still hoping for a surprise of some sort. A last minute panel for The Avengers? An early look at The Dark Knight Rises or Man of Steel perhaps? Nope! While there are a fair few decent panels, and plenty on offer for TV fans, the usually awesome last Sunday of the event looks set to be a quiet news day here on CBM!

SUNDAY, JULY 24

10:00-11:00 Archaia Entertainment and The Jim Henson Company: The Early Works of Jim Henson Screening with Special Tale of Sand Discussion

Jim Henson was a creative genius responsible for some of the most iconic properties today, including The Muppets, Fraggle Rock, and The Dark Crystal. But what was he like leading up to that success? Archaia and The Jim Henson Company explore his early works and creative process, complete with archival, rarely seen footage, brought to you by Henson archivist Karen Falk. Then, get an advance look at Tale of Sand, the new original graphic novel coming in September, based on a never-before-seen screenplay written by Jim Henson and his longtime collaborator, Jerry Juhl. Falk, Archaia editor-in-chief Stephen Christy, and A Tale of Sand artist Ram

Here is something great for all Potter fans out there. Warner Bros. has released this brand new featurette called “Harry Potter – A Look Back” that takes us back to the beginning of the franchise starting with Philosopher’s Stone and all the way to the final film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. Check it out!

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2,” is the final adventure in the Harry Potter film series. The much-anticipated motion picture event is the second of two full-length parts.

In the epic finale, the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war. The stakes have never been higher and no one is safe. But it is Harry Potter who may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice as he draws closer to the climactic showdown with Lord Voldemort.

Harry Potter is coming to an end. It’s been a long journey for all the people involved, especially for Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson. Now, Warner Bros. has revealed this new featurette that gives us one last look for every film, starting from the first one, and all they way to the epic finale. Check it out below:

Voldermort’s attack on Hogwarts is covered in the latest behind the scenes video from the highly anticipated Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2! Check it out here…

In Part 2 of the epic finale, the battle between the good and evil forces of the Wizarding world escalates into an all-out war. The stakes have never been higher and no one is safe. But it is Harry Potter who may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice as he draws closer to the climactic showdown with Lord Voldemort. It all ends here.

Many thanks to E! Online for the following.

Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Jason Isaacsand Alan Rickman, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is set to be released in 3D on July 15th, later this year!